<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
COMPANY'S FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED JUNE 28, 1997 AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          SEP-27-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             SEP-29-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-28-1997
<CASH>                                      26,331,682
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                               18,229,610
<ALLOWANCES>                                   113,765
<INVENTORY>                                128,997,632
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                           176,797,896
<PP&E>                                     809,901,120
<DEPRECIATION>                             231,894,452
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             762,333,150
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                      194,439,767
<BONDS>                                    321,364,341
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                     1,092,337
<OTHER-SE>                                 220,702,127
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               762,333,150
<SALES>                                  1,143,650,589
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                         1,151,233,989
<CGS>                                      865,373,169
<TOTAL-COSTS>                              868,837,854
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                            (1,550,522)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                          23,263,284
<INCOME-PRETAX>                             25,764,073
<INCOME-TAX>                                 9,900,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                         15,864,073
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                               (565,275)
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                15,298,798
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .72
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .71